By Asma’u Ahmad
The Kano State Government said it has designated 381 Health Centres for treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, disclosed this in Kano when he led a team of supporting partners in the fight against TB on a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II.
The three supporting partners include Save the Child, Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN) and Challenge TB.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Tijjani Hussaini, said the state government had provided drugs for free distribution to patients.
“We are here for an advocacy visit to seek the support of the Emirate toward enlightening the public on the need for infected persons to seek medication as the drugs are free,” he said.
Getso said that no fewer than 70, 000 persons are currently infected with the disease in the state but regretted that the state government was able to identify only 6, 000 of the patients.
He said: “Of the 70, 000 infected persons, we are able to identify only 6, 000 while the rest are in towns and villages spreading the disease across the state.
“So, this is the reason why we want the Emirate to direct District, Village and Ward Heads to sensitize their subjects to go for treatment at the designated facilities.”
Dr. Getso also urged people suspected of having the disease to go for test as the clinics also provided such services.
Responding, the Emir urged his subjects to support the government in its efforts to eradicate the disease in the state.
Emir Sanusi called on religious leaders, district and village heads as well as ward heads to extend the message to people in their respective domains. “This is an airborne disease which can easily spread among people. We have to support the government to ensure total eradication of the disease,” he said.
Health Reporters Correspondent reports that the visit was in preparation for the celebration of the 2016 World Tuberculosis Day on March 24.
